100 Scholarships to Be Awarded to IT Professionals Enrolling in WGU's College of Information Technology

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Innovation in information technology is key to our nation's continued success. As such, Western Governors University (WGU) is committed to helping more IT professionals earn the degrees and credentials they need to be leaders in this field by making education affordable. Cue the Future of IT Scholarship, WGU's new IT-specific scholarship for those looking to jumpstart their career.

The scholarships, worth up to $2,000 each, will be awarded to up to 100 students enrolling in WGU's College of Information Technology to help cover the costs of WGU's affordable tuition of about $6,000 per year. Through WGU's competency-based approach, students can take control of their education and gain the skills, knowledge, and certifications their industry demands at the time and place of their choosing.

The Future of IT Scholarship is a competitive program, but it's also just one of many WGU scholarships available to help eligible recipients bump their careers up a notch with a bachelor's or master's degree. Students may apply for this scholarship up to 60 days before and 60 days after their enrollment begins. The application deadline is January 31, 2017. Chosen recipients will receive the scholarship at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms.

All WGU programs are competency-based, allowing students to take advantage of their knowledge and experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. While WGU's degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for many students to accelerate their programs, saving both time and money.

Established in 1997 with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 72,000 students nationwide and has more than 68,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. It has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and enabling the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. WGU's Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The university's 2015 Annual Report is now available online.